Duke Energy moving on solar plant

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CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA
- Duke Energy Corp. is moving ahead with a $100 million plan to install rooftop and ground-level solar systems at up to 850 North Carolina homes and businesses.

The Charlotte-based company filed an application with the N.C Utilities Commission for the two-year plan, which the commission would have to approve.

The cost would add about 25 cents to the average monthly N.C. power bill, Duke said. The system would generate more than 16 megawatts, which would provide electricity for the power grid.

In contrast, Duke's coal-fired power unit under construction at its Cliffside facility in the Blue Ridge foothills would produce 800 megawatts. The utility is embracing some renewable energy projects as it prepares for a new state requirement for major utilities to produce 12.5 percent of their power by 2021 from renewable sources, such as the sun and wind.